Muttley Manners - VT

01/01/2023

Happy New Year!!! 🥳🥳

06/28/2022

And to learn more about dog body language, check out Lili Chin’s Doggie Language book that you can review with your children.

A GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT KIDS AND DOGS -
Unfortunately, we often see dogs brought to shelters or owner surrendered due to events that can transpire between children and dogs. The shelters are full. This post is to create awareness and to hopefully put yourself in your dog's presence.
Dogs do not know better with children and children do not know better with dogs. For example, negative interactions between kids and dogs can include "space". If a dog is eating, or doesn't feel well on a given day they need their space, haven't had an outlet to exercise, or God forbid have a high value bone (we never recommend high value treats around children) it is a situation set up for potential disaster. What if your dog has aged and has less tolerance? Or has arthritis, aches, pains they can't tell you about? Dogs often will not show pain until it's more than they can hide. And dogs definitely cannot tell us when they might have less tolerance. Adults can often see the body language if paying attention however children cannot discern when a dog is asking for space. For instance a child is alone with your dog and your dog moves away to try to gain space however the child follows and keeps violating the space being requested. Eventually a dog can get frustrated and lose his/her tolerance therefore reacting negatively and then guess who'd fault it is.............. It's unfair to ask any dog or child to be perfect in a situation where their tolerance is being exhausted over and over and over again.
As with humans dogs also have a threshold they can reach. We often see pictures of children hugging dogs.........getting in their face and personal space, laying on them, etc. It is known that dogs don't like to be hugged but some will tolerate it and appearing to enjoy it. Also, often kids are very energetic and have unpredictable energy which can make your dog very uncomfortable; they will tolerate it but it can be very tiring for him/her thus leading to less tolerance on the dog's behalf..............just as humans for instance who have not had sleep in 3 days...........less tolerant but we are more equipped to handle this.
Please, if you have children and dogs, consider making sure (if you don't already) that your dog has his/her own time during the day to play with you, get enrichment through games/outings/training, and of course exercise. Please make sure they get a break. If a dog does not have his/her own outlet daily they can very likely be less tolerant! If you don't feel you have all the answers please reach out to a quality Trainer for advice how you can make the relationship between your children and dogs strong with a mutual respect! If you would like to learn more from a Trainer please reach out to us and we can refer you to Trainers we work with! Its best to do this when there are no problems. Why wouldn't we all want this for our family balance? We can assure you planning ahead and having the tools/knowledge for your family, which has to come from the adults, will potentially avoid a much bigger more costly situation for your family in the future both financially and emotionally!

05/15/2022

Someone has grown quite a bit since last I saw her!

03/26/2022

Meet Mars, a smart and goofy 4 month old Great Dane. mostly she was sitting on me or on my bag like in this shot.

01/27/2022

*Please note, using this muzzle will not prevent a bite. It is to aid in the muzzle training process*

Here is a great example of the "false muzzle". The front of the muzzle is cut off to allow easier/quicker treat delivery, or even fetch/tug/toy play; this can really help with the desensitization process for some dogs. This is a GREAT stepping stone towards your end goal of your dog being able to happily wear their muzzle while out in the world.

Thanks for the photo !!

12/23/2021

Please spread the word! Wes (wessom) was LOST on December 13, 2021 in Monkton, VT 05469 near Little Hogback Community Forest, 2449 Boro Hill Rd, Monkton, VT

Message from Owner: We sincerely thank our community and friends for all their support, to help find our beloved 3 leg pit bull, we have walked the forest every day from morning til late at night, but still no sightings, the more people who know the more chance we will have. We are so lost without him and not knowing he is safe is the worst. We have a $1000 reward for his return. He is chipped and he has number on collar.
thank you for sharing and any support you can give, sharing with others, asking your local vets, call pounds and shelters, we have made all the nearby Police Departments aware.
Thank you

Description: Male Grey/Blye Pit Bull, 3 legs, White chest and paws. Wesson loves meeting new people and other dogs

For more info or to contact Wes (wessom)'s owner, click here: https://www.pawboost.com/p/7591782

Lost or found a pet? Report it to PawBoost here: https://pbrs.io/l/rpl

10/31/2021

Gracie is such a smartie and cutie!! 3.6 lbs at 4 months. I’ve never played tug with such a small pup. It wasn’t quite the typical tug workout. 🤣

09/12/2021

Dutchess and Daisy. Such lovely and sweet girls and best of buds.

08/17/2021

I just love this! It was one of the great concepts shared in the Family Dog Mediation course last week. If you’ve learned from me you most likely have heard me talk about the ABCs. This course is so much about ALL the things that are part of the Antecedent, as depicted here, and helping us/clients to understand the WHYs of Behavior.

To get the FULL picture of a dog’s behavior, we have to look deeper than just the event that triggered it.
Kim Brophey’s “Antecedent Iceberg” is so stinkin’ spot on - I had to make a graphic to show it!
There’s so much more to the equation, and we’re missing some critical info if we don’t take a good look at the L.E.G.S.

Totally applies to humans, too. 💓
.E.G.S.

08/09/2021

I’m so pumped to use what I learned this week with my clients! It was an amazing, thought provoking, brain straining week with Kim Brophey and her team. I am so grateful for Kim for putting all this great content together and sharing it with us so we can help our families better. This has been one of my best learning experiences!!!

08/06/2021

I’ve been quiet this week as I’m in Indiana at Wolf Park, taking Kim’s Family Dig Mediation course to help me help you better. I can’t wait to bring it all home. So many great tidbits to help us understand our individual dogs better! The wolves are amazing too!

07/22/2021

My newest friend, Murphy! 😍 Doesn’t he look almost like a stuffed dog in this shot? What a cutie pie!!! His mom is a first time pet parent looking for some pointers. They’re a pretty awesome team and lucky to have each other!!

07/20/2021

Teddy, my first session with an Italiano Spinoni. He’s a lovely guy!!!

07/15/2021

How photogenic is this guy?! Meet Buddy! He is lucky to have amazing humans who recently adopted him and want to learn how help him walk nicely on leash and keep all four feet on the floor. He’s such an awesome dog!!!!

06/25/2021

Alfie is one smart cookie and ridiculously adorable!! I really enjoyed working with him and his humans on some minor issues like barking at passersby and pulling on lead when excited. Humans and dog all did great and had fun!

06/24/2021

06/24/2021

06/24/2021

Zoe is a tired pup and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She helped me with a client dog who can be reactive around other dogs. We got to a point where they were a few feet from each other, both eating grass. If only I had thought to take a photo! I always said she’d be a great dog trainer’s dog!

06/11/2021

If you have a dog or are thinking of getting a dog, get this book! Kim does an amazing job helping us understand why our dogs MAY behave in certain ways due to their breed type and how you can understand and help your family and dog live happily together. I am so excited to be studying with her in August to learn more about her Family Dog Mediation program.

05/17/2021

I got to hang with this lovely Bloodhound and his family. He is a little over zealous about what’s on the counter, what the kids might have for him, and visitors. A few pointers for managing him and teaching some different behaviors and that hanging on his bed pays off and there is much more harmony. I just love helping people with these challenges. @ Vermont

05/10/2021

What a lovely place to work with Wendy, this amazing pup. She’s one lucky girl to live in such a beautiful spot (not sure that dogs appreciate the view though) and with such a lovely family. @ Vermont

05/06/2021

Meet Juno. She’s an awesome baby mini Aussie. She and her mom are doing amazing things!

05/03/2021

Pippin. Before session and after. I feel lucky to get to work with Pippin and her people!

05/03/2021

So true! I always thank dogs for growling. It’s wonderful communication about their discomfort and helps us know how we can do better by them.

04/27/2021

Zoe totally relaxed with the lawn guy. 🥰.

04/18/2021

Meet Pippin! Do they get cuter than this??? @ Middlebury, Vermont